'Baptism of fire' first start worth wait for Johnson

Natalie Johnson in action on her first Northern Ireland start against Frida Maanum of Arsenal

Natalie Johnson admits her first Northern Ireland start against Norway in Friday's Euro 2025 play-off first leg was a "baptism of fire".

However, the 31-year-old Nottingham Forest defender said she was "delighted" after what had been a long journey.

Johnson had been in squads prior to Covid but had never made her debut.

That long wait came to an end as a second-half substitute in the first-round play-off win over Croatia in October and she was handed a full debut in the 4-0 defeat by Norway at Inver Park.

"It was a baptism of fire coming in but I'm really proud that they trusted me on such a big occasion, against such a good team," said Johnson.

"I'm not getting any younger, so to be achieving these goals at this point of my career, I'm really proud."

After four years out of the international picture, Johnson admitted she didn't think she would ever earn international honours.

"I've grown a lot as a player in the time that I've been gone.

"Coming back in, a lot has changed but it's been brilliant. It's just been like a dream, to be honest."

Johnson played the full 90 minutes at Inver Park as favourites Norway put in a clinical first-half performance with three goals.

However, Tanya Oxtoby's side improved in the second half and limited Norway to one goal, which came from a scramble following a set piece.

"It was exciting. These are the type of players you want to test yourself against. You watch them on TV and think 'wow, what a player'.

"To test myself against that for Northern Ireland was unbelievable."

When asked how it compared to face Norway's star-studded side in real-life, rather than watching on screen, she admitted it was "just as fast".

"Just as fast. It was fast, it took us a little while to get into it but once we did, I think we gave a good account of ourselves.

"I'm enjoying every minute of being in with this squad and the staff. I'm enjoying it too much to stop now and I'm happy to be here."

While Northern Ireland know progression to the Euros next summer is unlikely, Johnson hopes the youthful side can learn from facing a side of Norway's quality.

"It's an opportunity for us to learn and implement very quickly. We trust the process with Tanya.

"I think if we can show we have learned something on Tuesday then I think we've won."